Somehow I got the whole congregation in the frame. Maybe I needed a wider lens for so many in a group shot but it didn’t matter. Pastor Karen Garland is seated to the right of front and center. She asked for this shot and everyone gathered together. This is her congregation. They felt the love and squeezed in together, getting rid of the air! I stood on a chair. This is the fifth year I’ve photographed the Zion Apostolic Assembly Christmas Dinner. Tonight it was at the Churchill Country Club. There was a choir, mimes, preaching, gift baskets and a good dinner and dessert. My friend Yvette invites me every year. Their church is in McKeesport. It was a former Catholic church and has a beautiful stained glass window of a saint but the name escapes me for them moment.One time I went there and shot a wedding. They do a lot of good for many. Tutoring, Boys to Men and Girls to Women Youth Programs. It is an honor to be invited to share the evening together and I know they appreciate the photos I shoot.

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This is so beautiful, and made me smile before bed! Thank you! You did a fantastic job capturing the love and light of this congregation!! 🙂
Great picture. 🙂
I agree. You can feel the love in this photo. Great shot Ruth!
Sounds like a fun group. A beautiful picture
I love this picture : )
Very lovely and wonderful that they include you in their circle of love….
Love the photo, love that the smiles come from different generations. That’s what makes gatherings extra special for me
what a great shot
That is an impressive picture – I can pick out Yvette’s beautiful smile.
Lovely photo!
You did a great job of capturing (what I count as) 93 smiling faces. Some really interesting folk in there, not to mention the little ones.
Smashing.
Mark
Awesome! I was wondering how many of us there were! WOO Go Zion! Thank you for counting! 🙂
What a great story!
What a great shot fo some pretty happy people! The little girls in their holiday best and the boys in their suits. I’d love to have seen them at the end of the evening.
Shockingly enough, this IS them at the end of the evening! The parents made great usage of the large napkins this year ;).
I feel the promise of good promising futures in the smiles of the young people and the joy of love and community on the adults faces. Beautiful.
Beautiful and moving ….. thanks, Ruth!
Love this… Ruth you are a gift….
Mrs. Ruth, you are the bombbbbbbb!!!!!!! lol! You can take my picture anytime. It is always a pleasure having you there, you are apart of the family! Thank you.
Once upon a time I sang in a gospel choir at an AME church – it was a great congregation. I love the vitality of that type of CHURCH! 🙂
That is a terrific photo!
Lots of nice smiles, must have been a good time 🙂
you made me smile!
I’ve sent a link to twitter – I’m following you there too …
https://twitter.com/#!/frizztext/status/144448844418121728
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Love this group shot! I can just imagine the giggles and jokes as they prepared for this click! Thanks for sharing.
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